FSU football: Behind enemy lines with Syracuse site InsideTheLoudHouse

Q&A with InsideTheLoudHouse (Part Four)

CC: Syracuse’s offensive line is allowing 2.67 sacks per game, which ranks 102nd in the FBS. With playing against the likes of a talented defensive line that features all-ACC defender Jared Verse, do you believe that the Orange will do enough to protect quarterback Garrett Shrader in the pocket?

ITLH: “First of all, defensive lineman Jared Verse is a total star who will play on Sundays shortly. The ‘Cuse had offered him a scholarship after he hit the transfer portal, but he decided to move from Albany to Florida State. I wish him well!

To answer your question, I think the ‘Cuse offensive line will have its hands full against the FSU defensive line in trying to protect Shrader.

The Syracuse football offensive line has, unfortunately, had to deal with injuries. David Wohlabaugh Jr. is out for the season. Kalan Ellis is not on the team’s depth chart for the UNC game, and Joe More has been dealing with an injury for several weeks now. But let’s not make excuses here.

The good news is that Shrader is an effective runner, so even when the pocket collapses, hopefully, he can avoid getting sacked with a lot of frequency.

The bad news is that FSU’s defensive line, led by Verse and others, is talented. I envision Shrader taking a few sacks here, but hopefully not more than two or three throughout the entire game. He’ll also be hurried a lot, and we’ll have to see how he responds with his arm and his legs while under heavy pressure.”